Monday's Daily Pulse

What you need to know about Florida today

| 3/3/2014

Legislative agenda packed for upcoming session

The annual state legislative session that starts this week could result in changes that affect Floridians' everyday lives, from buying school backpacks to stopping at red lights or sampling a craft beer. Of course, 2014 is also an election year, for Gov. Rick Scott and many members of the Legislature. More from the Gainesville Sun and Florida Today.

Gaming is fraught with powerful special interests on all sides, making any major changes to existing laws a challenge this year. “We’re lobbying very heavily for approval of at least one, integrated resort permit in south Florida,” says Nick Iarossi, a lobbyist with Capital City Consulting who represents Las Vegas Sands. Access the full story here.

Unemployed remain determined to work despite challenges

Nearly 4 million people have been unemployed for more than six months out of a pool of 10 million U.S. unemployed at year’s end, including 584,000 Floridians. [Source: TBO.com]

Winter-weary Americans flock to South Florida

As freezing temperatures, snowfall, and ice continue to chill the nation, South Florida’s tourism industry is fired up over all-time high numbers. “We really almost have lost count,” said Nicki Grossman, president of the Greater Fort Lauderdale Convention & Visitors Bureau of the record year. “A lot of it has to do with how miserable the weather is.” [Source: Miami Herald]

Entrepreneurs pitch their products to investors

From a comfortable high heel and an odor-free toilet, South Florida entrepreneurs gave their pitches last week to potential investors at the Startup Expo in Boca Raton. About 300 people — 20-somethings to 70-somethings — attended the inaugural Startup Expo organized by the Gold Coast Venture Capital Association. [Source: South Florida Sun-Sentinel]

› Making better public spaces in Miami[Miami Herald] The Miami Foundation is launching the second edition of its $130,000 public space challenge with a call for ideas that could create new gathering places and improve the city's shaky sense of community.

› Fort Lauderdale warehouses could be next hot spot[South Florida Sun-Sentinel] A 30-year-old warehouse district on the fringe of downtown is on track to become the city's next hot spot. Some envision it as a version of Miami's Wynwood Arts District, with trendy cafes, galleries and boutiques occupying the dated buildings near the railroad tracks between Sistrunk and Sunrise boulevards.